After an MA degree at Cambridge in History and law, David entered the wine trade in 1956. He worked as a buyer for the International Distillers and Vintners from 1962-1974, often based in Bordeaux at Château Loudenne. David also worked as a consultant from 1974-1993, that included being British Consul for the Consorzio of Chianti Classico during the 1970s.

In 1970 he was co-author of the Report on Appellation Contrôlée, working on this with Paris, and in 1972 he was on the Jury of the Premier Concours Mondial of the O.I.V. He was a director of the Wine Standards Board from 1987-1993. He retired as a director of French Wine Farmers/Private Liquor Brands in 1999.

David was Chairman of the I.M.W. for 2 years from 1968. He took part in the first Institute visit to Bordeaux in 1965 and two years later organised the Institute’s visit to Germany. Later highlights were visits to South Africa, Chile and Argentina and then Australia, which all helped open the UK market to the wines of these countries.

David is the author of esteemed book Bordeaux (Faber), a comprehensive guide on the fine wines of this region, which won the André Simon Prize in 1983, with a greatly expanded 2nd edition in 1991. He is also the author of Mitchell Beazley’s Pocket Guide to Bordeaux, with several editions and translations, between 1986 to 2004, and is the author of the Bordeaux section of the annual Wine Report by Dorling Kindersley, from 2004 to 2009. He has lectured extensively throughout the UK, Europe and USA.

In 1988, the French Government made him a Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and his total of 60 en primeur tastings in Bordeaux might be a record.

Since retiring from the trade, he has served on the Wine Committee of The Garrick Club and is now a consultant to them. This, and being married to another M.W, ensures very active consumption, while leaving welcome time for travel and music, two great rival interests.